TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Prosecutors on Tuesday indicted 13 Shin Kong Mitsukoshi executives and managers, including the Taichung store manager and a deputy general manager from the company’s head office, over a deadly gas explosion at the department store in February that killed five people and injured 38.
The Feb. 13 blast occurred as a family of five from Macau walked past the store’s main entrance, leaving three family members dead after being struck by falling debris, per UDN. Two floor supervisors inside the department store were also killed.
Prosecutors said improper construction work at the 12th-floor food court likely ruptured a main natural gas pipeline, causing gas to leak and accumulate. The gas buildup was later ignited by sparks from powered tools, triggering the explosion.
On April 11, prosecutors summoned the highest-ranking executive involved, a deputy general manager from Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s head office surnamed Hua (滑), along with a staff member surnamed Wu (吳), Taichung store manager Chuang (莊), and two subordinates surnamed Lu (呂) and Lee (李). All were released on bail ranging from NT$100,000 (US$3,100) to NT$600,000.
On April 14, prosecutors also questioned a Taichung store team leader surnamed Hsieh (謝). He was later released on NT$400,000 bail.
Following the explosion, the Taichung store was shut down and later granted permission by Taichung City Government to reopen after repairs. On Sept. 26, one day before the scheduled reopening, prosecutors summoned Taichung store manager Hsu I-ching (許宜敬) for questioning.
He was later released on NT$800,000 bail on suspicion of negligent homicide and violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The amount was the highest set among all defendants in the case.
Public scrutiny focused on the cause of the explosion and the assignment of responsibility. The investigation was delayed because a key occupational safety report remained pending at the Ministry of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Prosecutors said they were forced to wait for the report before making a comprehensive determination. Taichung District Prosecutors Office repeatedly urged the agency to submit its findings and concluded the case with indictments filed by the end of the year.
